Web feed apparatus for a case forming machine for books



Sept- 17, 6 I R. L., SCHOENBERGER, JR

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-1 I Illlllll "II" III lllllll 5 United States Patent 3,103,843 WEB FEED APPARATUS FOR A CASE FORMHJG MAQHINE FGR BOOKS Robert L. Schoenberger, in, rawfordsville, Ind, assignor to R. R. Donnellcy 8; Sons Company, a corporation of Delaware Filed July 2, 1953, Ser. No. 746,170 Claims. (Cl. 83-107) This invention relates to web feed means and in particular to means for providing a plurality of webs in a case forming machine.

In a case forming machine, hardboard cases for books are formed by adhering suitable stiffeners to suitable fabric or paper material. This material is delivered to the machine as a continuous web, or ribbon, and the stiffeners are arranged on the web in accurate relationship one with the other and with the web, allowing the web to be cut and the material to be folded over the stiffeners to form individual completed cases.

In forming such book cases, it is often desired to utilize two different types of fabric so that the spine portion of the case is a different color or pattern from the front and back liace portions of the case. In forming such a case, the front and back faces are formed of spaced ribbons of similar fabric and the spine is formed of a ribbon of dissimilar fabric positioned between and overlapping the front and back face ribbons. The three ribbons are adhesively joined so that in passing through the case forming machine, they may be handled as a composite single Web. The overlapping of the spine ribbon and the front and back face ribbons must be precisely controlled to provide proper symmetry of the pattern thereof and identical wrapping of the spine ribbon at the front and back. The problem is aggravated if a decorative border is later applied adjacent the margins of the spine ribbon where it joins the front and back face ribbons, as imperfect centering of the spine ribbon results in improper positioning of the pattern with respect to the joined margins on the spine.

The instant invention is concerned with the means for providing the case fabric in a plurality of parallel webs which are adhesively joined in the case forming machine to form the front and back faces and the separate connecting spine portion of a completed case.

It is the principal object of this invention, therefore, to provide in a case forming machine new and improved means for delivering individual web elements to form the binding material of a completed case.

Another object is to provide such a means arranged to provide the front and back face material from a single rolled web.

A further object is to provide such a means which splits the web as it is delivered from the roll and maintains the split portions in precisely accurate spaced relationship.

Still another object is to provide a Web supply means which maintains a substantially steady Web travel, notwithstanding intermittent movement of the web in the case forming portion of the machine.

A still further object is to provide such a means having new and improved apparatus for maintaining proper tension on the web feed roll at all times.

Yet another object is to provide such a means including mechanism for positively driving the web as it enters the case forming portion of the machine thereby to assure a proper tension therein.

Still another object of the invention is to provide new and improved means for delivering the spine web to the case forming machine in accurate side registration with the front and back face webs.

"ice

The invention is illustrated in a preferred embodiment in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the front and b ack face Web supply portion of a case forming machine embodying the invention;

FIG. 1A is a diagrammatic perspective view of the case forming portion of the machine and the means for delivering the spine Web thereto;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the roll end of the web supply means;

FIG. 2A is a plan view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation comprising a right-hand continuation of FIG. 2, showing an intermediate portion of the web supply means;

FIG. 3A is a plan view thereof;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation comprising a right-hand continuation of FIG. 3, showing the delivery end of the web supply means;

FIG. 5 is a transverse section on an enlarged scale, taken substantially as indicated along the line 55 of PEG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary section of a portion of the apparatus seen in FIG. 5, with parts broken away;

FIG. 7 is V3. fragmentary, enlarged elevation, partially in section, taken substantially as indicated along the line '77 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary, enlarged transverse section taken substantially as indicated along line 8-8 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary section on a reduced scale taken substantially as indicated along the line 9-9 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary horizontal section on an enlarged scale taken substantially as indicated along the line lh-ltl of FIG. 3;

FIG. 11 is a vertical section taken substantially as indicated along line 1ll1 of FIG. '10;

FIG. 12 is a vertical section taken substantially as indicated along the line 12l2 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary, enlarged vertical section of a portion of the means shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary plan view thereof; and

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary, enlarged elevation of a portion of the means shown in FIG. 4.

in the exemplary embodiment of the inevention, as shown in the drawings, and referring first to FIGS. 1 and 1A, a new and improved means for providing the case forming material to a case forming mechanism 10 comprises a first web supply and tension control A; slitting means B for dividing the web delivered from supply A into two ribbons; spacing means C for effecting a desired spacing between the ribbons while maintaining the ribbans in a desired longitudinal relationship; take-up means D for taking up and then paying out the constantly moving ribbons as delivered from spacing means C, to segregate the constant feed from the intermittent movement of the material through the case making mechanism; means E for applying adhesive to one face of each of the ribbons; means F for delivering a spine ribbon in precise overlapping relationship with the split ribbons; means G for applying adhesive to one face of the spine web; and means H for effecting an adhesive connection of the spine and split ribbons to form a composite web to be operated upon by the case making mechanism 10.

The instant invention is concerned with the mechanism for feeding and joining the three ribbons to provide the composite web in the case making mechanism 10. However, to provide a general undenstanding of the complete functioning of the machine, the following brief description of the case forming mechanism 10 and the functioning thereof given. Referring to FIG. 1A, case forming mechanism 10 is arranged to secure a front stiffener 1-1, a back stiffener 12 and a spine stiffener -13 awasss to a built-up web 14, and to cut and fold the web to form a completed book case 15. A detailed disclosure of the mechanism for effecting this case forming operation is presented in Bach et al. Patent 2,556,787, issued June 12, 1951, to which patent reference may be had for a detailed description thereof. Broadly, however, mechanism It} comprises stiffener pullers 16 arranged to place cardboard front and back stiffener boards 11 and 12 properly on the upper surface of the adhesive coated web 14. To assure proper adherence of the stiffeners to the web, presser rollers 17 press the stiffener boards tightly against the web. Spine strips 13 are secured to the midportion of web 14 between boards 11 and 12, being cut to proper length by a cutter =18 and pressed against the web by a suction roller 18a. Web 14 is notched by means of corner knives 19 and a folding means 2t) folds the edges of the web material neatly around the stiifeners. A cutoff knife 21 severs the individual cases from web 14 and permits the completion of the folding operation by means 29, thereby to complete the formation of the book case.

Web 14 is drawn intermittently through mechanism It by a clamp 22 associated with a suitable adjustable intermittent drive 23, as described in Patent 2,556,787. Pullers 16 are also associated with drive 23 to synchronize delivery of the stitfeners 11 and 12 with the web movement.

The Web Supply Means-In General As indicated above, this invention is concerned primarily with means for delivering a plurality of web elements, or ribbons, which are joined together along their longitudinal edge portions to form a composite web 14 for the case forming mechanism. Herein, three such web elements are provided, namely a front nibbon 24, a back ribbon and a spine ribbon 26. Ribbons 24 and 25 comprise longitudinally split portions of a supply web 27 coming from a roll 28 rotatably carried on a roll stand 29. The web supply means, generally designated 30, is arranged to deliver ribbons 24, 25 and 26 between rollers -17 where thethree individual ribbons are joined to form the composite web 14. It has been mentioned that front ribbon 24 and back ribbon 25 may be preprinted with a pattern or design which must be aligned uniformly with the margins of the cases 15 as they are formed, and that it is often desirable to provide a decorative dyesstamped border along the margins of the spine web closely adjacent the edges of the front and back faces of the case; so that it is necessary to center and accurately align, longitudinally and transversely, each of the three individual ribbons 24, 25 and 26 as they are joined to form the composite web 14. The problem is complicated by the fact that it is necessary to produce a large variety of different cases with the same machine so that the machine must be readily adjustable while maintaining a high degree of accuracy of registration.

One of the basic problems involved in the registration of ribbons 24, 25 and 26 is that front and back ribbons 24 and 25 must be accurately spaced to permit a properly centered disposition of spine ribbon 26 in Overlapping relationship therewith. Web feed means effects this arrangement [in a new and improved manner. As indicated above, the front and back ribbons are obtained by splitting feed web 27. Feed web 27 may be preprinted so that the printed material of the front and back case faces is originally in perfect alignment. To maintain this alignment while effecting a spacing between the ribbons 24 and 25, the inertia of roll 28 (which may be up to 30 inches in diameter) should not impart excessive stresses to ribbons 24 and 25. For this purpose, web 27 passes from roll 28 over a fixed roller 31, under a dancer roller 32, over a second fixed roller 33, under a third fixed roller 34, over a fourth fixed roller before being delivered to a slitting knife 36 of slitting means B which splits the web 27 into the separate ribbons 24 and 25. Dancer roller 32 is carried by an axially pivotable shaft 37 which is connected through a linkage 38 to an eccentric 39 of a brake 4i). A brake drum 41 is mounted on one end of roll support shaft 29 and is engaged by shoe portions of brake 4%} to impart a retarding torque on shaft 29 and, as a result thereof, control the tension in Web 27. More specifically, Whenever tension in web 27 decreases, dancer roller 32 moves downwardly and rotates shaft 37 to operate linkage 38 and eccentric 39 and close shoes 42 more tightly about drum 41. The resultant drag on roller 28 increases the tension in web 27; whereupon the dancer roller 32 rises to decrease the pressure between brake shoes a2 and drum 41, thereby releasing the tension in the web.

As indicated above, web 27 is split into two ribbons 24 and 25 by a slitting knife 36; and these ribbons must then be spaced apart the precise distance to accommodate spine ribbon 26. This spacing is accomplished :by means of a pair of angle rollers over which ribbon 25 is run. From knife 36, ribbon 25 first passes over a fixed angle roller 43, and then under an adjustable angle roller 44 to a fixed roller Ribbon 24, in turn, runs over a fixed roller 46 and under an adjustable roller 47 to roller 4-5. Rollers 46 and 47 are on axes transverse to ribbon 24, while angle rollers 43 and 44 extend at a small angle thereto to guide ribbon 25 laterally away from ribbon 24. Adjustment of angle roller 44 accurately controls the lateral spacing; while adjustment of roller 47 permits longitudinal adjustment of ribbon 24 to maintain longitudinal registration between the two ribbons.

Adjacent roller 45 is a pair of driven rollers 43 and 49'. Webs 24 and 25 pass under fixed roller 45, over a take-up roller 50, and between rollers 48 and 49. Takeup roller 5% is cam operated to maintain the longitudinal movement of ribbons 24 and 25 over rollers 43, 4 46 and 47 and preclude misregistration of the ribbons which would otherwise result from the intermittent movement of the ribbons beyond take-up roller 5t). Driven rollers 43 and 4S prevent ribbons and 25 from backing up during the stationary portion of the intermittent movement of the composite web in mechanism 10.

From roller 49, Webs 24 and 25 are delivered under a fixed roller 51, between a tension control roller 52 and an associated roller 53 to a glue means 54. Tension control roller 52 is arranged to reduce tension in ribbons 24 and 25 prior to their delivery to case forming mechanism it To effect this, rollers 52 and 53 are driven to advance the ribbons slightly more than the advance effected by clamp means 22 of case forming mechanism G.

Glue means 54- includes a glue roller 55 against which ribbons 24 and 25 are directed by a first fixed roller 56 and a second fixed roller 57. Glue is delivered to roller 55 from a trough 58 by means of a transfer roller 59. From fixed roller 57, ribbons 24- and 25, having been properly coated with glue, pass under a fixed roller 60 and between presser rollers 17.

Spine ribbon 26 is delivered to a centered position between ribbons 24 and 25 with its marginal portions overlapping said ribbons. Ribbon 26 is delivered from a roll 61 carried on a shaft support 62 which is axially adjustable by means of a side register mechanism 63. From roll 61, ribbon 26 is directed to a glue means 64 picking up glue from a glue roller 65 thereof against which the ribbon is directed by means of fixed rollers 66 and 67. Glue means 64 is similar to glue means 54, and glue is delivered to glue roller 65 from a trough 68 by means of a transfer roller 69. As ribbon 26 leaves glue pot 64, its edge position is sensed by an edge register photoelectric scanner 7%) which operates mechanism 63 to maintain web 26 in a desired transverse position.

The Web Supply Means-In Detail The general structure and functioning of web supply means 30 havingbeen described, We will now consider the mechanism thereof in greater detail. Referring now more specifically to FIGS. 2, 2A, 5, 6 and 7, web supply means 36} comprises a left frame member 71 and a right frame member 72. Shaft 29, which carries roll 28 in web supply and tension means A, is journalled in split bearing 73 carried at the upper ends of pedestals 74 mounted one each on frames 71 and 72. Brake 4G is carried on frame member 71 outboard of the bearing 73 thereon.

The Slitting Mechanism B Slitting mechanism B includes a platform 77 over which web 27 rides in passing from roller 35. As best seen in FIGS. 5 and 7, platform 7 is secured to a slide 78 which is movable transversely between frames 71 and 72 on a support table 79 secured at its opposite ends 79a and 79b to frame members 71 and 72, respectively. Table 79 is provided with an undercut guide 813' for guiding slide 78 therein, and an elongated transverse opening 81. Slide 78 is provided with a depending block 82 extending through opening 51 to below table 72 and having a threaded transverse bore 33. A rod 84, journalled at its opposite ends in table ends 7% and 7%, is provided with a threaded portion 85 threaded through bore 83 of the block. Rod 84 is prevented from having axial move ment by means of suitable cellars as, and handwheels 87 are secured to the opposite ends of the rod outwardly of frames 71 and 72 to effect rotation thereof for moving block 82 transversely between the frame members.

As indicated above, platform 77 is secured to slide 78 and is, thus, movable with the slide transversely between the frame members 71 and 72 and transversely of web 27. Thus, platform 77 is readily adjustable to accommodate different positions of web 27 between the frame members and to permit a pair of rotary knife blades 38 and 89, which are associated with the slide to be movable therewith, to slit web 27 at the proper point intermediate the longitudinal edges thereof. As best seen in FIG. 5, the knife blades are driven from a motor 915 which drives a shaft Q1 through a chain drive 92. Shaft 91 is journalled at its opposite ends in bearing means 93 carried by frame members '71 and 72. A spline gear 94 is keyed to shaft 1 and is axially adjustably retained thereon by means of collars 95. Gear 94 drives an intermediate gear 96 on a shaft 97 journalled at its ends in bearings 98 secured to slide 75. Gear 96 meshes with a gear 19 secured to one end of a shaft 1% journalled in a bearing 1191 and having knife 89 secured to the outboard end thereof by a suitable connecting means 102. Bearing 101 is secured to the slide 78 and shaft 1% is prevented from having substantial axial movement through the bearing by means of connector 2 at one end and a collar 1% at the opposite end. Shaft 100 is arranged so that knife 85 extends peripherally just sli htly upwardly through a slot 1124 in platform 77 to engage web 27 lying on the platform.

The drive 'of upper knife 88 is effected from intermediate gear through a second intermediate gear 105. A shaft 106 is rotatably supported at its opposite ends by arms 107 upstanding from table 78 and secured to one end of the shaft by a collar 1% is a handle 109. Depending from collar 108 is a clamp plate 110 having an arcuate opening 111 through which shaft 97 extends. A handwhe'el 112 is threaded on the end of shaft 97 to bear against clam-p plate 110 and force it against support 5 8 for retaining shaft 106 in a desired rotational position.

Secured to shaft 106 is a pair of supports 113 provided with hearing 114 for j'ournalling a shaft 115 having a gear 116 secured at one end and knife blade 88 secured by suitable connecting means 117 to the other end. Gear 116 meshes with gear 105 and, thus, drives rotary knife 88. To assure a proper cutting action, the drive of rotary knives 88 and 89 is such as to cause the peripheral speed thereof to be approximately 125% of the web speed. Shaft 115 is arranged to dispose knife 88 peripherally within slot 194 barely overlapping knife 89 to effect a proper slitting of web 27. This overlap is readily adjusted by manipulation of handle 1119 as shaft 115 is moved alternatively in an upward or downward direction by rotation of shaft 106. Once the proper positioning of the knife blades is effected, handle 112 is manipulated to secure shaft 166.

Thus, knife blades 88 and 89 are supported for movement with table 78 to permit adjusting of the slitting action by means of handle 87. The depth of penetration of upper knife blade 88 is readily adjustable by means of handle 109 to accommodate different types of material and thicknesses thereof.

The Ribbon Spacing Means C As indicated above, knives 88 and 39 slit web 27 into two ribbons 24 and 25, Rollers 43, 44, 46 and 47 effect a lateral spacing of the back ribbon 25 from the front ribbon 24. As seen in FIGS. 3 and 3A, roller 43 is journalled in fixed bearings 118 mounted on frame members 71 and 72. Roller 44 is journalled in blocks 119" threadedly mounted on a pair of threaded rods 120, which rods are mounted for rotation at their opposite ends in a pair of transverse support members 121 secured between the frame members. A shaft 122 is rotatably journalled in frame members 71 and 72 to extend therethrough, handles 123 being secured to the outboard ends of the shaft. Rotary movement of shaft 122 is transferred to rods by bevel gears 124 secured to shaft 122 meshing with bevel gears 125 mounted on rods 120. The bearing 118 mounted on frame member 71 and the block 119 mounted on the rod 12%) adjacent "frame member 71 are disposed forwardly of the bearing 118 and block 119 adjacent frame member 72 and, thus, arrange rollers 43 and 44 at a small angle to a transverse vertical plane between frame members 71 and 72. This arrangement of the rollers causes ribbon 25 to. move toward frame member 71 as it passes around rollers 43 and 44. The specific amount of displacement of the ribbon is controlled by' the longitudinal displacement (i.e., longitudinally of the web) of roller 44 relative to roller 43. Thus, operation of handles 123, by effecting concurrent rotation of rods 120, causes blocks 119 to adjust the longitudinal displacement between rollers 44 and 43 and, thereby, control the lateral displacement of ribbon 25 from ribbon 24.

Rollers 46 and 47 are similarly mounted. on frame members 71 and 72 except that they are arranged to extend transversely to the frame members. Thus, as seen in FIG. 2A, roller 46 is journalled in longitudinally aligned bearings 126 fixedly mounted on frame members 71 and 72 and roller 47 is journalled in blocks 127 threadedly mounted on a pair of threaded rods 128 mounted for rotation at their opposite ends in a pair of transverse support members 12 8a.

It is necessary to adjust roller 47 as the relative length of ribbon 25 between fixed roller 35 and fixed roller 48 varies with the displacement of roller 44 from roller 43. Roller 47 is adjustably spaced from roller 46 by rotation of rods 128 by means of handwheels 129 secured to a transverse shaft 130 having bevel gears 131 fixed thereon and meshing with a pair of bevel gears 132 on rods 128.

The Take-Up Means D As alluded to briefly above, the function of take-up roller 50 is to permit ribbons 24 and 25 to move at a constant rate over the spacing rollers notwithstanding the intermittent movement of the web in the case making mechanism 10. To accomplish this, take-up roller 50 50. Take-up roller is mounted on a shaft 133 journalled at its ends in the ends of a pair of spaced support bars 134 secured at their opposite ends by clamps 135 to a transverse shaft 136. Shaft 136 is pivotally mounted at its ends in bearing 137 secured to support plates 138 mounted on frame members 71 and 72. Arm 134 is oscillated on shaft 136 by an arm 139 connected at one end to arm 134 by an adjustable shaft 140 and a connecting clamp 141 mounted on arm 134 intermediate shafts 133 and 136. The other end of arm 139 is secured to a shaft 1 -3-2 pivotally mounted at its ends in bearings 143 mounted on plates 138. Arm 139 is oscillated about the axis of shaft 142 by a pin 144 secured to a mid-portion of the arm and having a roller 145 received in an annular groove 146 eccentrically arranged in a disc 14-7 axially mounted on a shaft 148 journalled in bearings 1 .9 mounted on plates 138. Disc 147 is keyed to shaft 143 by means of a hub 15%] for rotation therewith, whereby groove 146, due to its eccentricity relative to the axis of shaft 148, effects an oscillation of roller 145 and, thereby, arm 139. Rotation of shaft 148 is effected by a drive shaft 151 connected to the drive of the machine (not shown), through a stub shaft 152 journalled in suitable bearings 153 and 154 mounted on bases 155 and 156, respectively, which bases are secured to frame member 71. Shaft 143 is journalied in an outboard bearing 157 and a bevel gear 158 is secured to the end of the shaft to mesh with a spur bevel gear 159 fixed on shaft 152 intermediate bearings 154. An opening 160 is provided in plate 138 through which shaft 148 freely passes. To provide improved rigidity and stability to plates 138, a tie rod 161 may be secured therebetween, as best seen in FIG. 8.

Thus, take-up roller 5% is cyclically raised and lowered to take up and release ribbons 24 and 25 as they pass thereover. The movement of roller 50 is accurately controlled by adjustment of shaft 149 to effect the proper positioning of the roller, and by adjustment of the position of clamp 1-11 on arm 134 to vary the amount of swing of arm 134 and, thereby, the range of movement of roller 50.

The Back-Up Prevention M eans As indicated above, after ribbons 24 and 25 pass beyond roller 50, the movement thereof becomes intermittent. To preclude backing up of the ribbons, adjacent roller 50, the ribbons are controlled by rollers 43 and 49. As best seen in FIG. 10, roller 49 includes a shaft portion 49a journalled at its ends in bearings 162 mounted on frame members 71 and 72. A unidirectional clutch 163 is associated with shaft 49a to permit the roller to rotate only in the direction of advancement of the ribbons.

Roller 48 normally presses ribbons 24 and 25 against roller 49 and comprises a plurality of cylindrical elements 167 fixed on a sleeve 163a rotatable on a shaft 168 which is eccentrically journalled in bearings 169 secured to frame members 71 and 72. Sleeve 168a is driven from the shaft of roller 49 by a gear 1631) fixed on sleeve 168a and meshing with a gear 4% fixed on the shaft portion 49a of roller 49. The peripheral speed of the roller 49 and elements 167 of roller 48 is maintained identical by this geared association and assures proper gripping of the web therebetween. Shaft 168 extends through frame members 71 and 72 and a pair of handles 170 is secured to the outboard ends thereof. Bearings 169 include an outer ring 171 secured to the frame members, and an inner ring 172 having an eccentric bore and pinned to shaft 168. Thus, rotation of shaft 163 by manipulation of handles 170 translates the shaft, due to its eccentric disposition in bearing ring 172, permitting the cylindrical elements 167 mounted thereon to be moved away from roller 49, such as when threading the ribbons therebetween.

The Tension Con frol Means Ribbons 24 and 25 are delivered from under roller 49, under a fixed roller 51 to between tension control rollers 52 and 53. Rollers 52 and 53 are driven to advance ribbons 24 and 25 slightly more than the advance of built-up web 14 effected by clamping means 22, thereby eliminating excessive tension in the built-up web as it passes through case making mechanism It). As best seen in F568. 4, l3 and 14, roller 52 is driven at an adjustable speed, by means of a gear 174 fixed on shaft portion 175 of roller 53. Shaft 175 is journalled at its opposite ends in bearings 176 carried on pedestals 177 secured to frame members 71 and 72. Gear 174 is driven by a transfer gear 177 meshing with a gear 173 fixed on a shaft 179. Shaft 179 extends through and is journalled in a pair of spaced bars 181) which is pivotally mounted adjacent one end on shaft 175 and pivotally connected at an opposite end to a female threaded connector 181. One end of shaft 179 extends through one of the bars 130 and an adjustable speed pulley 152 is fixed thereon. Pulley 182 is driven from a chain 133 associated with the machine drive (not shown.) through a speed adjusting gear train comprising gear 184 driven by chain 183 and fixed on a shaft 185, a gear 186 fixed on shaft and meshing with a gear 107 fixed on a shaft 183, a gear 189 fixed on shaft 138 and meshing with a gear 190 fixed on a shaft 191, and a driver pulley 192 fixed on shaft 191 and driving pulley 132 by means of a belt 193. Adjustment of the speed of pulley 182 is effected by moving it toward or away from driver pulley 192 thereby causing belt 193 to have a variable effective radius in pulley 182 relative to the axis of shaft 179. The adjustable positioning of pulley 182 is effected by means connected to female connector 131 swinging arms 180 about shaft 175. The adjustment mechanism comprises a threaded rod 194 threaded into female connector 181 at one end thereof and having a bevel gear 195 fixed at the opposite end. A bevel gear 196 is fixed on a transverse shaft 197 adjustably rotated by a handwheel 198. A bracket 199 is fixedly positioned below bevel gear 195 to retain rod 194 against axial movement. Thus, rotation of rod 194- cffected by rotating handwheel 193 causes connector 181 to be threaded alternatively up or down on rod 194 thereby swinging bars 186 about shaft 175 and adjusting the position of pulley 132 as desired. This permits accurate control of the speed of roller 53 to provide the proper tension in ribbons 24 and 25 and, thus, to built-up web 14 in the case making mechanism 10.

As best seen in FIG. 15, roller 53 is mounted on bars 53:: pivoted at one end on frame member 72 and swung toward and from roller 52 by a control red 5312 connected to an eccentric device 530 operated by a handle 53d. The pressure of roller 53 on ribbons 24 and 25 is adjusted by a wing nut 53c adjustably compressing a spring 53f against bar 53a.

The Glue Means E From roller 53, ribbons 24 and 25 pass to glue means 54 where a coating of adhesive is deposited on one face of each of the webs. Glue pot means are well known in the art and means requires no further description here other than to point out that the ribbons 24 and 25 are urged against glue roller 5'5 by the fixed rollers 56 and 57 to have intimate surface contact with the glue roller. Glue is delivered evenly over glue roller 55 by a transfer roller 59 which picks up suitable adhesive glue material from trough 53. A doctor blade device Ztlt) may be associated with transfer roller 59 to scrape the surface of the tnansfer roller lightly and assure an. even and uniform coating of the glue thereon for transfer to the glue roller.

From roller 57, ribbons 24 and 25, having glue properly coated over their entire upper faces, are delivered over fixed roller 60 and between presser rollers 17 where the ribbons 24 and 25 are joined with spine ribbon 26.

The Spine Web Supply MeansF and G As indicated briefly above, spine ribbon 26 is delivered from a roll 61 carried on a shaft 62. Shaft 62 is journailed at its opposite ends in bearings 201 carried on pe destals 202 mounted on frames 71 and 72. The side register of ribbon 26 is maintained by scanning means 70 which operates mechanism 63 to adjust the axial position of shaft 62. Herein, scanning means 70 comprises photo electric edge position sensing means, and mechanism 63 comprises relay controlled drive means positioning 62 as a function of the signal supplied by the scanning means.

Ribbon 26 passes from roll 61 through glue means 64 where it is evenly coated on one face with a suitable adhesive and delivered between rollers 17 where it is joined with ribbons 24 and 25 to form the spine portion or the composite Web 14. Glue means 64 is identical to glue means 54 and functions similarly thereto although ribbon 26 may be substantially narrower than ribbons 24 and 25 requiring a smaller area of glue transfer.

Thus, ribbons 24 and 25 are delivered between rollers 17 in an accurately spaced relationship and in longitudinal register, allowing ribbon 26 to be placed below them and spanning the space therebetwieen to overlap their adjacent edge portions 24a and 25a, respectively. As the edge position of ribbon 26 is accurately maintained, the resulting spine is accurately centered. The several cooperating tension control means of the web feed means 39 feed ribbons 24 and 25 to the case making mechanism with a proper tension therein and assure a proper maintenance of proper lateral and longitudinal register of the ribbons 24 and 25, with respect to each other. Thus, composite web 14 is accurately arranged for reception of the stiffeners 11, 12 and 13 and for the subsequent cutting and folding operations to provide a perfectly formed case 15 them the joined ribbons 24, 25 and 26.

The foregoing detailed description is given for clearness or understanding only and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom 'as modifications be obvious to those skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for providing a pair of accurately laterally spaced and longitudinally registered ribbons firom a web roll of flexible material, comprising: mechanism for intermittently advancing the distal end of the material and thereby withdrawing the web firorn the roll; slitting means at a first position intermediate said mechanism and the roll for slitting the web into a. pair of ribbons; guide means at a second position intermediate said first position and said mechanism for spacing the ribbons laterally apart and including means for accurately adjusting the length of the path or at least one ribbon relative to the other; motion converting means at a third position intermediate said second position and said mechanism and operated in synchronism with said mechanism for converting the intermittent advance of the distal end of the ribbons into a substantially constant advance of the ribbons and Web from the roll up to said converting means; and tension means for maintaining the tension in the web at the guide means at a substantially uniform preselected value, said guide means being responsive to uniform tension in the ribbons thereat to accurately maintain a preselected longitudinal register of and spacing between the ribbons.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the guide means includes means further fior accurately adjusting the lateral displacement of at least one ribbon relative to the other.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the motion converting means includes means precluding back-up of the ribbons from said mechanism.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the means for preventing backup of the ribbons comprises a pair of rollers arranged to grip the ribbons therebetween, and means permitting rotation of the rollers in a forward ribbon travel direct-ion only.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the guide means includes first roller means extending perpendicular to the line of movement of a first one of said ribbons and guiding said first ribbon without lateral deviation, and a second roller means extending obliquely to the line of movement ribbon laterally away from said first ribbon.

6. The apparatus or claim 1 wherein the tension means comprises a pair of rollers gripping and urging the ribbons at a predetermined rate greater than the rate of movement thereof in said mechanism.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the guide means includes first roller means extending perpendicular to the line of movement of a first one of said ribbons and guiding said first ribbon without lateral deviation, and a second roller means extending obliquely to the line of movement of the second one of said ribbons and guiding said second ribbon laterally away from said first ribbon, said second roller means including a pair of parallel rollers and adjustable means for varying the spacing between the rollers to vary the spacing between the ribbons.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the guide means includes first roller means extending perpendicular to the line of movement of a first one of said ribbons and guiding said first ribbon without lateral deviation, and a second roller means extending obliquely to the line of movement of the second one of said ribbons and guiding said second ribbon laterally away from said first ribbon, said first roller means including a pair of parallel rollers and means for varying the spacing between the rollers of said first roller means to vary the longitudinal disposition of the first rib-hon.

9. In a case making machine, apparatus for providing a pair of accurately laterally spaced and longitudinally registered ribbons from a web roll of flexible material, comprising: clamp mechanism for intermittently advancing the distal end of the material and thereby withdrawing the web from the roll; slitting means at a first position intermediate said clamp mechanism and the roll for slitting the Web into a pair of ribbons; roller means at a second position intermediate said first position and said mechanism for spacing the ribbons laterally apart and adjusting the length of the path of at least one ribbon to register it longitudinally relative to the other ribbon; motion converting means at a third position intermediate said second position and said mechanism including takeup means operated in synchronism with said mechanism for converting the intermittent advance of the distal end of the ribbons into a substantially constant advance of the ribbons and web from the roll up to said converting means; and tension means acting on the web roll for maintaining the tension in the web at the roller means at a substantially uniform preselected value, said roller means accurately maintaining a preselected longitudinal register of and spacing between the ribbons.

10. Apparatus for providing a pair of longitudinally registered, laterally spaced ribbons from a web roll of flexible material, comprising: case making mechanism having means for intermittently advancing the distal end of the material and thereby withdrawing the web from the roll; slitting means at a first position intermediate said mechanism and the roll for slitting the web into a pair of ribbons; guide means at a second position intermediate said first position and said mechanism responsive to tension in the ribbons to guide the ribbons lateral- 1y apart; and web control means maintaining a preselected spacing between and longitudinal register of the ribbons including control apparatus at a third position intermediate said second position and said mechanism for converting the intermittent advance of the distal end of the web into a substantially constant advance of the web through the slitting means and guide means, with the tension in the web at said slitting means and guide means maintained at a substantially uniform preselected value, said guide means including first roller means extending perpendicular to the line of movement of a first one of said ribbons and guiding said first ribbon without lateral deviation, and a second roller means extending obliquely to the line of movement of the second one of said ribtween the rollers of said first roller means to vary the longitudinal disposition of the first ribbon, said second roller means including a pair of parallel rollers and adjustable means for varying the spacing between the rollers to vary the spacing between the ribbons.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,314,476 Overbury Aug. 26, 1919 12 Hardman June 23, Buchanan June 24, Hanson Dec. 6, Avery June 6, Mustin Sept. 10, Boch June 12, Bergstein Mar. 4, Hoag Dec. 13, Aumann Feb. 21,

FOREIGN PATENTS Germany Apr. 15, 

1. APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING A PAIR OF ACCURATELY LATERALLY SPACED AND LONGITUDINALLY REGISTERED RIBBONS FROM A WEB ROLL OF FLEXIBLE MATERIAL, COMPRISING: MECHANISM FOR INTERMITTENTLY ADVANCING THE DISTAL END OF THE MATERIAL AND THEREBY WITHDRAWING THE WEB FROM THE ROLL; SLITTING MEANS AT A FIRST POSITION INTERMEDIATE SAID MECHANISM AND THE ROLL FOR SLITTING THE WEB INTO A PAIR OF RIBBONS; GUIDE MEANS AT A SECOND POSITION INTERMEDIATE SAID FIRST POSITION AND SAID MECHANISM FOR SPACING THE RIBBONS LATERALLY APART AND INCLUDING MEANS FOR ACCURATELY ADJUSTING THE LENGTH OF THE PATH OF AT LEAST ONE RIBBON RELATIVE TO THE OTHER; MOTION CONVERTING MEANS AT A THIRD POSITION INTERMEDIATE SAID SECOND POSITION AND SAID MECHANISM AND OPERATED IN SYNCHRONISM WITH SAID MECHANISM FOR CONVERTING THE INTERMITTENT ADVANCE OF THE DISTAL END OF THE RIBBONS INTO A SUBSTANTIALLY CONSTANT ADVANCE OF THE RIBBONS AND WEB FROM THE ROLL UP TO SAID CONVERTING MEANS; AND TENSION MEANS FOR MAINTAINING THE TENSION IN THE WEB AT THE GUIDE MEANS AT A SUBSTANTIALLY UNIFORM PRESELECTED VALUE, SAID GUIDE MEANS BEING RESPONSIVE TO UNIFORM TENSION IN THE RIBBONS THEREAT TO ACCURATELY MAINTAIN A PRESELECTED LONGITUDINAL REGISTER OF AND SPACING BETWEEN THE RIBBONS. 